Eleanor and Park

by

Rainbow Rowell

A black girl in Eleanor’s gym class, DeNice is wise in spite of her very youthful appearance and kind to Eleanor when no one else is, helping her clean up her locker in the wake of Tina’s crew’s pranks. DeNice is funny and practical, and helps Eleanor learn to take social strife, gossip, and drama with a grain of salt. DeNice and her friend Beebi soon become Eleanor’s closest friends in school.
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DeNice Character Timeline in Eleanor and Park

The timeline below shows where the character DeNice appears in Eleanor and Park. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 12
Adolescence and Shame Theme Icon
Poverty and Class Theme Icon
After all the other girls walk away, only two girls stay behind—DeNice and Beebi, two of the black girls in Eleanor’s class. They help Eleanor clean her... (full context)
Chapter 14
Adolescence and Shame Theme Icon
Love and Intimacy Theme Icon
Eleanor, DeNice, and Beebi have become fast friends, and their dreaded gym class now feels less lonely... (full context)
Chapter 23
Adolescence and Shame Theme Icon
Love and Intimacy Theme Icon
...place, and there are even rumors the two of them were fighting for her affection. DeNice and Beebi love gossiping about the fight, and are grateful that someone put Steve’s “sorry... (full context)
Chapter 30
Love and Intimacy Theme Icon
In the locker room after gym class, Eleanor fields a similar invitation from DeNice and Beebi, who invite her to come dancing with them on Thursday. They tell her... (full context)
Adolescence and Shame Theme Icon
Love and Intimacy Theme Icon
Poverty and Class Theme Icon
Family and Abuse Theme Icon
...they usually appear on gym days, she can’t narrow it down—everyone in gym class but DeNice and Beebi seems to hate her. (full context)
Chapter 37
Adolescence and Shame Theme Icon
Love and Intimacy Theme Icon
Family and Abuse Theme Icon
...makeup makes Park look even cooler and cuter—like himself “with the volume turned way up”—and DeNice and Beebi agree. (full context)
Chapter 40
Adolescence and Shame Theme Icon
The next day, DeNice and Beebi wait with Eleanor after gym class while she checks her books for any... (full context)
Chapter 43
Adolescence and Shame Theme Icon
Love and Intimacy Theme Icon
Family and Abuse Theme Icon
...there is nothing she or anyone can do to stop the bullying. Park, Beebi, and DeNice have all rallied around her, though, in order to show Tina and her crew that... (full context)